Alcantarea Imperialis - My Giant Bromeliad Blooms!

Nascent bud clusters emerge from the central stalk179 viewsA green anole can be seen basking on one of the leaves in the background.

Bud clusters begin to spread154 views

The inflorescence is well over two meters tall302 views

One resident of the giant plant206 viewsThis brown anole is but one of many species of fauna that call the big bromeliad home. According to a Scientific American article I read, the plant can hold up to 30 liters of water and it can be host to up to 900 different species of critters.

The bud clusters grow outward on stalks255 views

The top appears like a crown174 views

A blue damsel fly likes the perch at the very top160 views

Close up of a bud, about two days before blooming138 views

One day before blooming, a bud elongates and becomes yellowish145 views

First flower265 viewsFrom the bud shown in the previous photo, this delicate, white flower emerged. Hundreds more will follow. The flowers last only a day or two before wilting, but when they droop, they form a tinsel-like effect. The plant blooms from the bottommost bud clusters, outward and upward.